Community development manager jobs in romford, england

Are you an experienced Conservation Manager who wants to support locally-led biodiversity conservation and make a difference for the most overlooked and threatened species in Southeast Asia?

If that sounds like you, we have an exciting role of Programme Manager (Maternity Cover) to join our team.

You will play a key part in managing and leading the Asian Species Programme, as well as having the opportunity to represent the organisation externally with a variety of stakeholders.

As a standout candidate you will show your strengths in forming strong, trusted relationships with partners, staff and other collaborators, as well as your deep understanding of environmental science and biodiversity conservation.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU USE AI IN YOUR APPLICATION, YOU ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BE SHORTLISTED. WE WANT TO SEE YOUR UNIQUE, BRILLIANT SELF. We do not use AI in any part of our recruitment process.

Closing date: 5th January 2026 10am

First stage interviews (Zoom):  12 – 14 January 2026

Skills assessment (undertaken at home): 15 – 16 January 2026

Second stage interviews (at our office in-person): 21 – 22 January 2026

Synchronicity Earth’s mission is clear: We bring conservation to life through our work, championing effective approaches and increasing funding for Earth’s overlooked species and ecosystems and the communities working to protect them. By joining, you're not just taking part; you're weaving your own story into a future that's brighter and sustainable for all.

We welcome candidates who may have taken a career break. Your unique experiences and fresh perspective will only enhance our team's diversity and strengthen our ability to tackle the complex challenges facing our planet. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds for this role, and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.

Candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and people with disabilities who meet the criteria (in the section of the job description headed ‘What you will bring to the team’) and opt-in to our Guaranteed Interview Scheme will enter the first recruitment stage, see more information below.

Application and Recruitment Process

Inclusion is a priority throughout our workplace culture and is embedded in our recruitment process. To support this, the first stage of recruitment will be anonymised by Charity Job to mitigate against unconscious bias. Please let us know at any stage during the recruitment process if you have any accessibility requirements and we will do what we can to accommodate these for you. Please also let us know which pronouns you would like to be referred by, if you wish.

How to apply:

· Complete the application questions, upload your CV, and submit your application through Charity Job.

· Fill in our candidate survey. Whilst this survey is optional it is the way to opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (information below) if you would like.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We recognise that people from Black, Asian, and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and people with disabilities are under-represented in our sector, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond.

As part of our commitment to attract and retain talented individuals from under-represented groups to the conservation and environment sector, if you belong to these groups, you can opt in to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) in our candidate survey. If you meet the essential criteria for a role, you'll be guaranteed a first-stage assessment. The results of this assessment will be used to select candidates for the first-stage interview.

About SCEC

SCEC was founded over twenty years ago to provide learning enrichment opportunities to primary school children in disadvantaged communities in south London. Together with our partners, several leading independent schools, we currently operate four schemes in math, literacy, science and art. Children learn through fun, engaging group activities like science experiments, storytelling and mathematical treasure hunts, all taught by qualified teachers with added support from student mentors. Through the schemes, children explore their curiosity, build knowledge and develop their confidence as learners.

Your Role

The Scheme Director is a newly created role that will be pivotal in helping SCEC extend its reach. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will help SCEC design and implement an expansion programme as well as coordinating the delivery of the existing schemes via our school partners. You will also serve as a trusted partner to the Board in the administration of the charity.

Similar to a COO, this role straddles the operational and the strategic. We are looking for a confident communicator and relationship builder who can work across varied stakeholder groups. You will have project management experience that can be applied to challenges like process design and change management. You should be able to grasp the big picture and have an eye for the details needed to deliver successful outcomes.  This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join SCEC on a transformational journey working with excellent learning partners and established leaders to improve educational outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee scheme operations including pupil recruitment, enrolment and attendance to ensure the smooth running of schemes and maximum impact
• Promote the charity to prospective partners and donors
• Support the Board in developing, implementing and monitoring an expansion programme
• Monitor and report on scheme performance and impact
• Prepare and manage budgets and disbursement of funds 
• Build and maintain systems and processes to support scheme operations, compliance and monitoring

Key Qualities

• Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organisational goals
• Track record of effectively managing programmes and services, including programme development, implementation, and evaluation
• Committed to working collaboratively to build strong relationships with business partners and colleagues and proactively engaging stakeholders when making decisions
• Self-motivated and highly organised, you have a strong sense of initiative and take a hands-on approach to planning and administration

Child Protection

SCEC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This is the responsibility of the whole organisation (trustees and staff).  An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this role.

For more information, please see the attached Job Description below

About Us

Literacy Pirates’ vision is for every child to have the literacy skills, confidence and perseverance to succeed at school and beyond. We provide free, after-school literacy support to children who are falling behind in class and who have fewer opportunities for additional support due to their personal circumstances than others. Founded in East London, Literacy Pirates’ programme now runs online and serves children anywhere in the United Kingdom.
 
Literacy Pirates is on an exciting journey of growth, rolling out our innovative learning programme to reach more children than ever before. An ambitious, fast-growing charity we have set ourselves a goal of reaching 3,000 children a year nationally, by 2030 compared with 650 this year. To support this, the fundraising team must double the charity’s revenue over the next four years, from £1million to £2million annually. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Trust and Foundation specialist with a keen interest in developing strategy and a flair for building strong relationships with funders. You will be excited to play a pivotal role in the growth of this charity, knowing the huge impact every new grant will have on the number of disadvantaged young people we are able to support. You will have significant freedom to design and execute a strong growth-oriented trusts strategy.

What we're Looking for

• Proven track record of securing significant multi-year grants from trusts and foundations. 
• Strong grant-writing skills with the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and tailored proposals. 
• Experience using AI to generate proposals and grant reports time-efficiently. 
• Excellent relationship building and management skills, with experience engaging funders and external stakeholders. 
• Strong track record of prospect research using a mixture of techniques and strategies 
• Experience representing an organisation at events and conferences.  
• Strong numeracy and experience in preparing budgets for funders. 
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities. 
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM systems. 
• Commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people. 
• Commitment to the mission of improving outcomes for children from less advantaged backgrounds. 
• Knowledge of the education sector a plus, but not essential. 

Responsibilities

• Research and identify trusts, foundations, and other funding opportunities to grow Literacy Pirates’ funding base. 
• Develop a pipeline of high-quality funding applications to meet agreed income targets. 
• Write or generate compelling funding proposals and grant applications, drawing on organisational impact data and stories
• Place AI tools at the centre of routine content generation for applications and reports. 
• Build and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships with funders, ensuring effective stewardship at all stages. 
• Attend conferences and networking events, and arrange funder visits, meetings. 
• Track progress against targets and provide regular updates to the Head of Development.
• Provide support and leadership to the broader fundraising team 
• Contribute to the development of the charity’s wider fundraising strategy, ensuring trusts and foundations income complements individual giving, corporate partnerships, and community events. 
• Work with the Education and Comms team to ensure the right impact data and case studies are available to strengthen proposals and reports and contribute to organisation’s marketing work 
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of applications, grants, and funder communications in the CRM system. 
• Monitor sector trends and share insights on funding opportunities and best practice. 

The charity is rapidly scaling up, recently doubling its annual support to £6 million. Degrees has partnered with leading climate change funders and research partners including the Quadrature Climate Foundation, Open Philanthropy, Crankstart, Navigation Fund, Outlier Projects, LAD Climate Fund and UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). Transparency of funding is essential to our work. We do not accept support from anonymous donors or funding from the fossil fuel industry. Fundraising for the organisation has been led by the Founder and CEO, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief of Staff, and the Chair of the Trustees with the support of an experienced Senior Philanthropy Advisor.

We now seek a full-time team member to build on this base. Reporting to the COO, and working closely with senior staff and the Chair, the Development Manager will support high‑performing fundraising that secures multi‑year, diversified funding. He / she will also introduce robust processes for pipeline management and donor stewardship and manage the complete donor lifecycle (from identification to cultivation to solicitation and stewardship) of a portfolio of top prospects. The post holder will receive initial onboarding support from the Senior Philanthropy Advisor. As fundraising grows, the team may expand in the future.

Initial priorities include expansion beyond the current donor pool, with a strong push to identify and engage new funders, and putting in place the systems (CRM, reporting cadence, key performance indicators) to support growth at scale.

As this is a new role, responsibilities are expected to evolve but some key items will include: 

Strategy & planning 

• Work with the CEO, Chief of Staff, COO, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, programme staff and the Chair of the Trustees to help develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organisational objectives;

Pipeline development & new opportunities 

• Manage the fundraising pipeline, guiding the ongoing fundraising activities of senior staff and the Chair;
• Research and identify new funding opportunities from trusts and foundations, government funders, and multilateral donors in the development and climate sectors on an ongoing basis;
• Reach out to networks of donor advisors and established relationships for referrals;
• Initiate and manage contact with funding opportunities; 

Grant writing 

• Draft and coordinate the preparation and submission of grant proposals;

Donor stewardship & reporting

• Maintain excellent relations with existing funders by keeping them informed on charity and sector updates, inviting them to events, and ensuring the delivery of annual reports and notices;
• Ensure and manage ongoing formal grant reporting on behalf of the organisation;

Events & engagement 

• Often working with partners, plan and deliver fundraising events for existing and potential funders, particularly in the UK and US;
• Manage invitation lists, track attendance and ensure bespoke follow–up to attendees;
• Assist in the design of events that will inspire and engage funders while involving Southern experts in the Degrees research community;
• Coordinate all fundraising outreach and related programming for the Degrees Global Forum (a conference to be held in 2027); 

Processes, systems & administration

• Create and implement structured processes across the entire fundraising and donor lifecycle;
• Develop and track KPIs, providing regular reports to senior staff and the Trustees;
• Be responsible for fundraising data, contacts and administrative records.

Making The Leap seeks to appoint a dynamic Educational Partnerships Manager to play a pivotal role in securing, growing, and nurturing partnerships with schools across the UK. Reporting to the Head of Educational Partnerships, the successful candidate will drive engagement with schools, teachers, and senior leaders to expand the reach and impact of Making The Leap’s programmes. This role focuses on building strong, strategic relationships with education providers while maintaining links with community organisations, colleges, universities, and corporate partners to promote MTL’s services and mission.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The ethos of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast and The Social Mobility List.

Salary: £46,104 – £51,176
Location: Remote with regular travel to Downton and London
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Legacy & In Memory Manager to join our Commercial Directorate at Help for Heroes. This pivotal role will shape and maximise one of our most important income streams, ensuring we can continue delivering life-changing support for the Armed Forces community.

Legacy and In Memory income contributes over half of all fundraised income, making this a strategically significant role with the opportunity to drive meaningful and lasting impact. If you are an experienced, collaborative and strategic leader with expertise in legacy fundraising, legacy administration and/or in memory giving, this could be your perfect next step.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Mass Fundraising, you will lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of our Gifts in Wills and In Memory programmes. You’ll shape strategies that drive sustainable income growth, ensure operational excellence, and deliver exceptional stewardship for supporters, families and executors.

You will oversee all aspects of legacy marketing, legacy administration and in-memory giving, ensuring compliance, accuracy and sensitivity in this specialist area. You will also provide clear reporting and forecasting to track performance and identify future income opportunities. Working collaboratively across the charity, you’ll embed best practice, enhance supporter journeys and maximise long-term income opportunities.

As a senior leader, you will guide and develop a skilled team of five, championing a culture of collaboration, learning and data-led decision-making.

About You

You’ll be a strategic, compassionate and resourceful leader with a strong background in legacy fundraising, legacy administration and/or in memory giving. You’ll bring both technical expertise and emotional intelligence — able to oversee sensitive stewardship activity, manage complex matters confidently and influence stakeholders at all levels.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Significant experience in legacy fundraising, legacy administration and/or in memory giving
• Strong understanding of legacy marketing, supporter journeys and charity-side legacy processes
• Demonstrable team management or leadership experience
• Experience overseeing sensitive, high-quality stewardship to supporters and families
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical and data-led decision-making capability
• Confidence in managing budgets, forecasting income and reporting on performance
• A values-driven, empathetic approach and commitment to delivering excellence

Due to the specialist nature of this role, we can only consider applicants with relevant experience in legacy fundraising, legacy administration or in memory giving, as well as demonstrable leadership or team management experience.

About the Team

Our Mass Fundraising team sits within the Commercial Directorate and is responsible for building strong, trusted relationships with supporters across the UK. Legacy & In Memory giving is a cornerstone of this work, enabling us to deliver our LiveWell Strategy and ensure every member of the Armed Forces Community can live well after service.

You’ll join a passionate, expert and purpose-driven team who champion innovation, empathy and excellence in everything they do.

In return we can offer you:

• Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
• 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
• 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
• A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.
• Discounts on our branded clothing, including a free Help for Heroes hoody when you complete your induction.

Closing date: 9th January 2026

Please note: We may close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of strong applications.

UnLtd is a vibrant, ambitious organisation at the heart of the UK’s social enterprise sector. As a key stakeholder and leading funder and supporter of social entrepreneurs, we continuously learn and adapt to better meet their needs and maximise their impact.

We are seeking a talented Communications Manager to amplify UnLtd’s voice and influence within the sector while shining a spotlight on the incredible work of social entrepreneurs. This role is about balance: telling inspiring stories that bring their journeys to life, while also demonstrating measurable outcomes, addressing challenges, and showcasing how our unique funding and support model drives impact.

As a core member of a small, collaborative team, you will create and deliver high-quality communications across multiple channels. Your work will include managing media relations, overseeing day-to-day digital communications and social media, updating and optimising website content, producing marketing and campaign materials, managing communications projects, and supporting events.

We are looking for someone with experience in a broad communications role, including press office expertise, who thrives in a dynamic environment and brings a proactive, learning mindset. The potential for impact is significant: your work will strengthen UnLtd’s positioning as the UK’s leading organisation backing social entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, while engaging funders, partners, and communities to build a fairer, brighter future together.

Harris Hill is proud to be partnering with the Community Land Trust Network to recruit a New Business, Partnerships and Innovation Manager — an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected national charity championing land justice, community ownership and social equity.

About the Role

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £45,200–£55,200 (depending on skills and experience)

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to become permanent

Working Hours:

· 3 days / 21 hours per week (with reduced duties), or

· 4 days / 28 hours per week
Working pattern negotiable

Location: Remote/home-based

This newly created role will play a pivotal part in expanding the charity’s income and influence. You will:

• Lead on new business development, nurturing existing supporters and securing new partnerships with developers, housing associations, local authorities, funders and other stakeholders.
• Shape and grow their consultancy and service offer, helping reduce reliance on grant funding.
• Support the roll-out of their Growth Lab, working with practitioners and community groups to develop innovative models, products and services for Community Land Trusts.
• Capture insights, impact and learning to strengthen the case for scaling these innovations.
• Work closely with the CEO on funding proposals, partnership development and strategic initiatives.

This role offers variety, influence and the chance to help shape a major area of the charity’s future work. The team operates fully remotely, with a warm, collaborative culture and a strong focus on wellbeing.

About You

They are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in partnerships, business development, philanthropy or account management — and enjoys turning opportunities into long-term relationships.
• Communicates with clarity, confidence and professionalism across sectors including business, charity, local government and community groups.
• Is entrepreneurial, proactive and excited by innovation and co-creation.
• Shares a commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change.

Key Dates

• Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026

How to Apply

Please email Hannah Laking at Harris Hill to request the full job pack, or you can download it directly from this advert. If you’d like to learn more about the role, you’re welcome to book a call with Hannah. Alternatively, you can simply send your CV and supporting statement which must follow the structure outlined in the job pack before the closing date, and Hannah will get in touch.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Join Young Brent Foundation, a dynamic charity dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people across Brent. As Finance Manager, you’ll play a key role in managing day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting, payroll, and grant tracking. Working closely with the CEO, you’ll ensure compliance, accuracy, and timely reporting to support our mission of creating a vibrant, safe, and prosperous environment for young people.

What we’re looking for:

• Minimum 2 years’ finance experience in the charity/not-for-profit sector.
• Accountancy qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• Strong skills in QuickBooks and financial reporting.

What we offer:
28 days’ annual leave (pro rata), generous pension, flexible hybrid working, and the chance to make a real impact in the community.

Interviews: Round 1 Interviews - Monday 12th January (online)

                    Round 2 Interviews - Monday 19th January (in person)

Service Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Service Manager 

Location: Romford. Please note that unfortunately, this service does not have step free access.

Salary: £40,100

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You may also be required to work weekends, evenings, and bank holidays as per service requirements. You will also take part in our out of hours on call rota for managers.

About the Role

We're looking for a compassionate and driven Service Manager to join our residential service based in Havering. This role supports residents in temporary housing who are facing challenges with substance use. As a Service Manager, you’ll lead a dedicated team, making sure we deliver high quality support, performance and improvements across our service whilst representing values of the organisation. You'll play a hands on role in supporting individuals facing addiction, homelessness, and complex needs guiding them towards stability, independence, and brighter futures.

The service focuses on providing a 24 hour, 25 bed accommodation service to residents who are deemed to be high risk. They support those who are experiencing homelessness. All admissions are jointly agreed, and placements reviewed at a weekly Complex Needs Panel chaired by the local authority. Residents are agreed on the basis that they are: 

The role includes:

• Overseeing support related to substance misuse, ensuring effective interventions and pathways for service users
• Line Management and Leadership, supporting your team providing advice, guidance and support throughout their employment lifecycle
• Support the Service Manager in leading the day to day operational delivery of the service
• Risk Management ownership, ensuring processes and policies are followed
• Property and Housing Management, ensuring the accommodation meets our requirements, and repairs and maintenance are regularly reported and completed
• Financial Management, including petty cash and budget management
• Contract management and Internal auditing, admin, and general other duties as required

About You

We are seeking a passionate, driven and motivated colleague to lead this service in a trauma informed and inclusive way. Someone who is knowledgeable in the needs of our residents, particularly substance misuse and can support the team in delivering excellence. You will be driven with passion for what we do, and be able to work flexibly to meet service needs, providing new ideas and opportunities to develop the service further to continue to achieve excellence!

• Understanding and/or practical knowledge of the social and societal marginalisation that can be attached to people with substance abuse issues, addiction, exploitation, homelessness and within the criminal justice system
• Previous leadership experience
• Experience of working with confidently and ability to provide advice, lead a team on all aspects of the service such as resident related enquiries which can include housing, substance abuse support, signposting
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve service KPI's through direct leadership
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly to meet service needs
• IT Proficiency, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to navigate and learn new case management systems and other types of organisational software

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

The Sick Children’s Trust is the charity that gives families with a seriously ill child in hospital a comfortable place to stay and a friendly ear to listen in one of our ten ‘Homes from Home’. We are looking for a House Manager who is hardworking and has excellent people skills to manage our ‘Homes from Home’  Stevenson House supporting families at The Royal London Hospital. 

You will be responsible for managing the house including working with the hospital to admit and welcome families, property maintenance, daily administration and compliance such as health and safety, and will be hands on with light domestic duties to prepare rooms for families and ensure the house is maintained to a high standard. 

Your experience to date could come from a variety of sectors and roles such as office administration, facility management, housekeeping or health and care sectors to name a few. What we are looking for are candidates who can: 

• Take the responsibility for running a house and the service it provides
• Manage a small team 
• Carry out checks to ensure compliance to rules and regulations 
• Demonstrate good IT skills 
• Prepare and manage a budget and finance tasks to include income generation (training and support given) 
• Empathise with families to support them during difficult times 
• Demonstrate strong personal skills to work with colleagues and hospital staff professionally 

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter setting out why you are suitable for the role and how you meet the requirements set out in the job description and person specification 

We're looking for a organised, proactive and resilient Referral and Operational Development Manager to join our Complex Specialist Services.

£44,000.00 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The Referral and Operational Development Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the Managing Director with new business development, coordinating and managing referrals, assessments, tenancies and transitions for our customers with learning disabilities and autism.

The working pattern for this role is:Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

What you'll do:
Referral & Assessment Coordination
* Monitor and respond to referrals from external sources and direct contacts.
* Maintain a current tracking system for referral clarity and produce regular reports.
* Analyse referral data to identify local commissioning needs and growth opportunities.
* Work with managers on person-centered assessments covering care needs, environmental suitability, risk management, and transition planning.
* Complete and submit needs assessments with costings and support package requirements.
* Coordinate the assessment process and internal referral meetings.
* Develop a responsive referral and assessment pathway aligned with best practice.
* Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders ensuring timely and responsive communication.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Strong understanding of the learning disability and autism sector, including CQC regulations.
* Proven ability to build professional relationships with stakeholders.
* Strong understanding of sector
* Ability to manage staff effectively

What you'll bring:
Essential:
* Experience in assessments, referrals, and placement coordination within supported living or health and social care settings.
* Knowledge of brokerage, purchasing systems, and commissioning portals.
* Ability to write reports for the senior management team
* Understanding of residential and supported living service models.
* Familiarity with funding processes and financial negotiations.
* Experience of working with costing models for placement pricing
* Experience of managing staff and services in social care or health

Desirable:
* Knowledge of how local authorities, councils and ICBs commission and agree services.
* Experience with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed practice.
* Understanding of complex needs, forensic histories, and dual diagnoses.

About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job description

Job Title: Community Project Officer

Team: Ramblers England

Location: Hybrid (London Office)

*This role sits within a pay grade with a pay range of £22,155.20 to £34,913 (FTE £27,694 to £43,642). The salary on appointment will be set at the lower end of the pay range, to a maximum of £24,370 (FTE £30,463) depending on the candidate's skills and experience. This approach aims to ensure fair compensation for new hires while maintaining alignment with the structured pay scale for the role.

*The project will run for three years. The initial fixed-term contract will be for 12 months, with a potential extension for a further two years subject to funding.

Context and purpose of role

By 2034 Ramblers ambition is that everyone in England and Wales will be able to join a Wellbeing Walk close to where they live – for communities to come together and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of walking. This work is part of the strategic plan and business objectives of Ramblers GB.

The role will deliver the Walking Together Project across communities in north London, Slough and Reading. The role will engage directly with the most disadvantaged communities, where loneliness, social isolation and inactivity could be prevalent, through a ‘Getting Started’ Wellbeing Walks programme. This is a community delivery role to work with local communities to establish walks and find potential walk leaders within the community to sustain walking.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver the Ramblers Getting Started element of the Walking Together Project
• Maintain positive working relationships with local and regional partners to deliver the project
• Maintain positive working relationships with local members/volunteers
• Attend Community/Borough or Town Council, steering group and other partner meetings and events and use to deliver the project
• Ensure relevant policies and procedures, compliant with current legislation and in line with Ramblers’ approach, are supported
• Set up a total of four community walking programmes in the identified areas each year
• Deliver and coordinate training opportunities for the communities who sign up to the project
• Support the Community Development Officers in identifying further opportunities in the area
• Manage and record project expenditure
• Provide regular progress reports

• Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post
• Engage and proactively develop excellent working relationships across the organisation

The person

Qualifications

Lowland Leader or working towards (Desirable)

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience working with a wide variety of groups and communities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrable attention to detail and the needs of different audiences
• Experience of successfully managing projects or programmes delivering against agreed objectives
• A proven track record in recruiting and working with volunteers
• Experience of designing and delivering training and support resources
• Excellent IT skills, including social media and web skills, and an ability to support others to use software and programmes
• Interest in/knowledge of walking/physical activity/public health

Ability to appropriately collect data for monitoring and evaluation purposes and collation of associated reports

Skills

• Ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including volunteers, managing requirements and expectations
• Ability to develop and lead a project with the related co-ordination, planning and organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Skills to enable the leading of safe and inspiring group walks
• Facilitation and training skills – in-person and online
• Ability to diagnose problems, provide solutions and make logical, timely decisions
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team to achieve common goals

Personal Attributes

• Interest in walking and a commitment to the principles of inclusion and enabling everyone to feel welcome in the outdoors
• Flexible and resilient with the ability to balance competing demands
• Willing to travel and spend some evenings and weekends working
• Willing to undertake training and professional development to ensure skills and knowledge are up to date

The Ramblers promote diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community

Values and Behaviours

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.

Inclusive

We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.

Inspiring

We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.

Empowering

We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.

Responsible

We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.

At our charity, we believe in the transformative power of holidays - especially for families facing some of life's toughest challenges.

Behind every joyful moment we create is a team of dedicated professionals ensuring our operations are financially and strategically aligned. As we grow, we're looking for an Operations Manager who shares our values and wants to make a meaningul impact through scaling up delivery, unlocking new partnerships, and showing the impact holidays have on well-being and resilience. 

As Operations Manager, you'll oversee the end to end experience for families, ensure compliance and quality, and use data and insights to drive continuous improvement. You'll also play a vital role in demonstrating the difference our work makes to families, funders and to us.

If you're pasionate about operational excellence, thrive in a fast paced environment, and want to make a tangible difference for families across the UK, we'd love to hear from you. This is a hands-on management role with real scope to shape how we deliver and grow.